WBCS.LIVE practice question

Which component is the primary constituent of 'Heavy Water' used in nuclear reactors?

Solve this multiple-choice question and check the correct answer with its explanation below.

Answer options

  1. Tritium
  2. Deuterium
  3. Protium
  4. Helium

Correct answer and explanation

Correct answer: Deuterium

Explanation: āœ… Correct Answer: B) Deuterium šŸ“š Explanation: Heavy water is chemically known as Deuterium Oxide ($D_2O$), where the hydrogen atoms are replaced by the isotope deuterium. Deuterium contains one proton and one neutron, making it twice as heavy as ordinary protium. In nuclear power plants, it serves as an excellent moderator to slow down fast-moving neutrons to sustain a chain reaction.